Self-portrait, Open Mouthed 1629

This self-portrait, Open Mouthed, was made by Rembrandt van Rijn using pen and brown ink on paper. The immediacy of the marks is striking. Look closely, and you can see how Rembrandt built up tone by layering quick strokes. This wasn't just sketching; it was a way of thinking through form. The transparency of the ink allows the white of the paper to shine through, creating light and shadow with remarkable efficiency. Rembrandt’s engagement with printmaking likely informed this approach to drawing. The etching process, in particular, would have encouraged him to think in terms of line and value. Ultimately, a drawing like this challenges our assumptions about what constitutes a finished artwork. It's a demonstration of skill, yes, but also a record of artistic process, and the material intelligence that guides it.